Unions begin balloting on Dublin Bus savings proposals

Dublin Bus workers are to begin balloting on Labour Court proposals on cost cutting measures at the company today.

Members of the Siptu and National Bus and Rail Workers’ Union are to vote on the plans aimed at reducing costs by some €11.7 million over the next two days.

Neither union, both of which were engaged with the company at the Labour Court last week, has formally recommend acceptance of the proposals.

However both did agree to point out the positive elements of the proposed deal to members. Siptu members met to discuss the proposals earlier this week.

The company’s savings plans resulted in industrial action over the August bank holiday weekend which was called off after the matter was referred to the Labour Court. Dublin Bus claimed the three-day strike had cost the company in the region of €600,000, making the savings needed more difficult to achieve.

Drivers expressed concern about pay reductions arising from reduced working hours during holiday periods which were set out in the cost cutting plan. Other bones of contention included changes to pay for overtime and rest days.

The union is seeking an assurance that reductions in pay would automatically revert to the current position after a 19-month period. Clerical workers, who had been required to increase their working week from 36 hours to 39, will now be asked to increase it to 38 hours.